Job Introduction
Here at BPP Education Group we understand that learners and students might need some extra support during their studies. That’s why we offer dedicated welfare and student support services. Our collaborative approach includes learning support, mental health and wellbeing support, and safeguarding. We work closely with other BPP services to ensure a joined-up approach, so that learners and students can thrive both personally and academically.
As we continue to grow, we’re now on the lookout for an experienced, dynamic and student focused individual to join our Safeguarding Team as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
You will play a key role in supporting the Head of Student Welfare & Support in the operational success of the department, contributing to the implementation of our Safeguarding strategy, ensuring that current students have access to – and engage with – safeguarding and wellbeing support.
What if you read the description and don't meet every single requirement? We encourage you to apply anyway - we value diverse backgrounds and are committed to inclusivity!
Why work for BPP Education Group?
It is a great time to join BPP Education Group as we have enjoyed a sustained period of growth, offering a wealth of opportunities to our staff, students and clients. There are many more great reasons to join BPP Education Group such as:
- Brilliantly, you can study any of BPP’s courses for free – be it a professional qualification or full degree.
- We also provide a generous annual leave entitlement of 30 days, and there’s a rewards package that includes retail discounts and much more.
Other key benefits include our Group Personal Pension Plan, dedicated private healthcare and dental plans that offer additional assurance to look after you and your family
What you’ll be doing
In this role you will develop and maintain a network of support services inside and outside of BPP, ensuring that our students are well supported to achieve their academic goals. You will make a key difference in ensuring our Safeguarding provision provides a first in class service that caters to our university and apprenticeship provision, our increasing international demographic, engages with outreach and widening participation activities, and is accessible, inclusive and equal for all learners at BPP.
As such, you will be responsible for:
- Managing and responding to Safeguarding and Prevent referrals from the inboxes and helpline
- Maintaining a caseload and identifying the most appropriate Safeguarding support plan for individual students
- Maintaining accurate records in line with BPP Group Safeguarding policies and procedures, analysing, understanding and presenting data to the relevant parties
- Working on projects and producing material on topics such as homelessness, consent and domestic violence
- Being active on staff and student groups promoting mental health and welfare initiatives including on the Virtual Campus
- Maintaining open channels of communication with Safeguarding and Prevent partnership agencies and horizon scanning for regulatory updates
- Assisting with staff training, student engagement and standardisation in Safeguarding, Prevent and British Values and providing Safeguarding support to BPP staff as required
- Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of Safeguarding policies and procedures at BPP and in the wider education sector.
What we’re looking for
To be successful in this role you will need to have a proven track record in the following areas:
- A degree (or equivalent qualification) or relevant professional experience.
- A recognised, relevant professional qualification in the field of Safeguarding e.g. DSL level 3, Counselling Diploma is preferred, but not essential
- Experience of managing a caseload and providing wellbeing, pastoral support and student support services within a relevant industry
- Experience of working in a multi-agency team approach, with the ability to build effective working relationships, partnerships and referral routes with key internal and external stakeholders
- Knowledge of Prevent and British Values in education sector
- Experience of developing safety, crisis and support plans
- Up to date knowledge of current issues in mental health, well-being and welfare with a particular focus on higher education and it’s regulatory bodies i.e. Ofsted, OFS and DfE
- Experience of understanding, analysing and presenting data related to safeguarding and welfare metrics
- Resilient, confident and passionate about improving wellbeing and mental health
- Able to work autonomously, to take decisions and use professional expertise with appropriate support from colleagues
- Self-reflective, with highly developed interpersonal and emotional intelligence skills
- Excellent communication, organisation, problem solving and time management skills, with an ability to engage a broad and diverse range of stakeholder groups
- Excellent digital literacy skills, and competent in a variety of online/digital tools
Please note that the successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS check
BPP Education Group are proud to be a Disability Confident employer so if you need any reasonable adjustments for the interview process, please just let us know!
BPP Education Group actively promotes equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential, and welcomes applications from a wide range of candidates. BPP will select candidates for interview based on their skills, qualifications and experience. Please note that for those posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a DBS check in addition to BPP undertaking any necessary online searches. This is deemed appropriate and necessary from a safeguarding perspective, and in line with BPP’s safer recruitment practices
BPP Education Group reserves the right to amend or withdraw this advertisement at any time prior to the closing date, should we receive a high volume of applications or if business needs change.
